Trampoline Board: Another Homeschooling Experience

This is what my kids do because they have too much, unstructured time.

Xander built a homemade trampoline board of sorts... he cut the wood out of the scrap pile, and screwed in the wire to hold his winter boots so her could practice jumps and tricks. He definately has extra time on his hands. He is now working on his second prototype, a board for Niko. Maybe I should give him more chores?

Niko's LOST Teeth

 Niko is so thrilled to be losing teeth! He is turning 8 in February and just started to loose his teeth (yes plural). Infact his fourth tooth will probably be lost before Christmas. At this rate Niko will need to adjust to a liquid diet. Niko was so thrilled to loose his tooth, he needed to call one of his Grandmas to tell her.

And, yes, we know he needs a haircut!

Kaitlee's Blessing Day

A perfect family picture, almost everyone is looking, and at least they are all smiling. All included in the picture are Aaron, Daxton, Brianna, Easton Adelin & Kaitlee Olsen.

Kaitlee was blessed on Sunday, November 5 in St. George, Ut.

Grandpa Henry Wade Smith

Here is granpa Smith at the annual Smith family picnic in Boulder City at what we call the Ram Park, but I am sure it has a more official name. The kids got to play at the park, play footbal with Stan, Uncle Chris and cousins. I am sure they had a fun time.

Does She Have Eyelashes or What!

Ella is actually happy in this picture... which only happens a few moments a day. See her usual pout to the right.

She really does have beautiful long eyelashes.

The Day After Halloween

 As I entered the boys room the day after halloween I was distraught with the "mess". Upon further inquiry and observation, I discovered that Niko, in all his curiosity, had catagorized his Halloween candy.... Hmmm, I thought, how can I make the best of this and help "learning time" be a fantastic experience, (knowing it was a long shot to get the candy out of hand & mind soooo soon)?

 So here is the final result...... catagorizing, counting, and graphing at its best. Our learning time was mathmatics and statistics fun this day. I truly feel that math has to be relevant for children to really understand it, and learn it! So today homeschooling was a success.

Niko catagorized the candy by type, name, shape, size... then graphed it mostly by name, including some miscellaneous candy clumped together at the end. Niko chose to make a bar chart.

During trick or treating, Niko was dtermined to ge the most candy... so he could sell it to me and make more money. He is a real entreprenuer.

 Xander chose to make a line chart.

Anna made two charts in one graph.

Always our Princess: Anna

Isn't she beautiful! Always our princess... and I am not kidding. This girl wears a princess outfit everyday, over her clothes, under her clothes and instead of her clothes. She goes through laundry like like no one I know.

Anna also has fantastic motherly instincts. Even as I write, she just brought Roman to me, "because he needs me." She is always helping Roman to know what he needs. And often that includes special treats that she like to share with him.

The Grim Reaper - Otherwise Known as Niko

Here is Niko at his best. His night job is as the Grim Reaper, at least this October 31st he took the job. Xander and Niko applied the make up and coordinated this costume, all on their own. Sure glad these kids are creative!

Niko rock'n out

Niko rocking out (complete w/ pink bib and 2 missing teeth, 2012).